3 U.S. Green Berets killed in Niger attack

A Marine teaches ECOWAS Combat Forces Signal Squadron soldiers to properly set up and operate a Broadband Global Area Network satellite system in Abuja, Niger, in 2011. U.S. Special Forces came under attack in Niger during a patrol. File Photo by Lt. Col. Steven Lamb/AFRICOM

Oct. 4 (UPI) -- Three U.S. Special Forces troops died and two others were injured Wednesday when they came under attack during a patrol in Niger, U.S. military officials said.

Unnamed military sources told The New York Times and CNN that three Army Green Berets died after coming under hostile fire. The incident happened during a joint patrol with U.S. and Nigerien forces in southwest Niger.

The injured troops were transported to the capital city of Niamey.

A news release by AFRICOM said the U.S. military was "working to confirm details."

AFRICOM said U.S. forces in Niger provide training and assist the Nigerien military with security, "including support for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance efforts, in their efforts to target violent extremist organizations in the region."